Yes it seems like there are plenty of sniffling, coughing, sore throats, sweating and aching to various degrees are going on all around the place again!

Alas we are yet to find a cure! Cold and Flu virus’s tend to be quite mischievous at mutating to get past vaccinations and treatments. There are some ways to get through it being kind to your body and they are nothing new just good old fashioned tried and tested!

I’ve noticed how people seem to forgo all their wellness goals when they come down with the dreaded lurgy and reach for a quick fix in order to soldier on with work and social lives!

The reality often ends up being that you come out the other side with a deflated immune system and on the back foot for the next while with where you were headed health wise.

So put down the sugary medicated lozenges, dehydrating, over stimulating cold and flu meds and stop begging your GP for antibiotics that you don’t need.

My advice.. head to your Acupuncture Practitioner for some cupping, acupuncture, moxa and individualised Herbs. Then head home to try a few ancient and well-worn home remedies to get you through, back on track and actually help boost your immune system for the future.

#1. Rest!!! Actually I mean it you have to rest! Forget about those 90’s ads! Soldiering on with (insert cold and flu med name here) is a bad idea, not to mention your now spreading your illness! Listen to your body’s subtle signs are you feeling more tired, feeling temperature differently or is your voice beginning to feel scratchy! Say no to social outings- forget your FoMO, Work from home, ask for help with kids, have a daytime nap and go to bed early from the onset – don’t wait until you feel like you’re part of the Zombie apocalypse. You’re doing no one a favour especially not yourself by pushing on!

#2. Make yourself or your sick loved ones a magic potion….or pick a good natural one up from your local pharmacy, health food store or natural health practitioner if you can! As soon as you notice you’re feeling blah…

Follow with a big, hot, fresh ginger and lemon/lime tea to sip away and keep hydrated.

Drop some vitamin C and Zinc if you think your dietary sources have not been that great of late!

Onion Cough syrup– chop finely and onion, place in a jar cover with Manuka honey leave for 4-8 hours and drink the syrup. Make another for the next dose. You can also add thyme leaves to the brew and a squeeze of lemon or lime just before serving.

#3. Soup, soup, soup! And other good, warm, easily digestible whole foods …Serve your body easy nutrients on a figurative silver platter to reduce the amount of energy your body has to spend on digestion so it can focus on resting and repairing. Avoid anything too creamy or greasy…this just adds to mucous production. And goodness knows we don’t want that! Garlic & Fresh spring onions will help to gently purge your phlegm. Caution with Chilli go easy and only use in early stages if you have been exposed to cold weather.

#6. The healing powers of hot water– make a steam infusion using a bowl of boiling water, a towel and essential oils like- sandalwood, tea tree, eucalyptus, clove or fresh herbs like Thyme leaves…breath it in. Soak your feet (I can’t believe how well this worked for me last time I was unwell-it stopped body aches like Cold and Flu meds) Use the oils and herbs suggested above emulsifying them into a tablespoon of milk before adding to the water and a big scoop of Epsom salts. Or go the whole hog and make yourself a bath if you’ve got one!

By all means this advice is not meant to replace the advice of your health care provider and if your temperature is sky rocketing, mucous has changed to a yellow or green colour you may need some extra help from your Naturopath, TCM Practitioner, GP or Emergency Room. I just want you to know that your body has mechanisms in place to help you heal & repair sometimes they might be telling you to slow down, nourish and be kind to yourself!